Combustor with unitary liner



July 17, 1962 F. o. HENNIG COMBUSTOR WITH UNITARY LINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed May 21, 1959 July 17, 1962 F. o. HENNIG 3,044,263

COMBUSTOR WITH UNITARY LINER Filed May 21, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR.

Qzforrreys United States Patent 3,044,263 COMBUSTGR WITH UNTTARY LINERFritz 0. Hennig, Olean, N.Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to DresserIndustries, Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 21,1959, Ser. No. 814,881 Claims. (Cl. 6039.65)

This invention relates to improvements in a combustor for burning fluidfuels in a gas turbine power plant.

The combustor to which the present invention relates is of the typewhich includes spaced inner and outer walls. The inner wall contains thecombustion chamber and is made of high heat resistant sheet metal. Theouter wall forms the pressure-resisting casing. Air is passed betweenthe inner and outer walls to cool the inner wall, and the cooling airthen mixes with the combustion gases to provide a large volume ofdriving gases of moderate temperature.

The primary object of this invention is to provide such a combustor inwhich the inner wall is formed by a unitary liner assembly so that thesame can be easily and readily inserted into and removed from the outershell for inspection, repair of replacement.

Another object is to provide such a liner assembly which is light inweight.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings where- FIG. 1 is a vertical,central, longitudinal, sectional view through a representative gasturbine power plant including a combustor embodying the presentinvention and showing the liner assembly partially withdrawn from theouter shell.

FIG. 2 is essentially an end elevational view, on an enlarged scale, ofthe combustor and taken on line 2-2 of FIG. -1, certain portions beingbroken away to reveal hidden structure.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the combustor and taken online 3-3 of FIG. 2, the liner assembly being shown as fully inserted andin secured position within the outer shell.

FIG. 4 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view thereof and takengenerally on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, fragmentary view of one of several similarmeans for supporting the liner assembly on the outer shell and showingthe means in a secured condition.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 but showing certainelements separated as they are during withdrawal of the liner assemblyfrom the outer shell.

FIG. 7 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view of the liner assemblysupport means and taken on line 77 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the rings shown in FIG. 3 andforming a part of the liner assembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one of the spacers shown on the ring inFIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 1s represents generally a two-stage gasturbine having a first-stage rotor 11 and a second-stage rotor 12. Thefirst-stage rotor 11, through appropriate shaft means 13, drives anaxial flow compressor 14 which draws air in from the atrnosphere,compresses it and discharges it into a combustor indicated generally at15. The compressed air from the compressor 14 is mixed with fuel andignited in the combustion chamber of the combustor 14 to providepressurized driving gases which are led by a conduit 16 to the inlet ofthe turbine 10. 'These gases flow through the firststage rotor 11imparting rotational movement thereto which is utilized to drive the aircompressor 14. Upon leaving the firststage rotor 11, the gases arepassed through the second- 3,@44,253 Patented July 17, 1962 ice stagerotor 12 and out an exhaust duct 17. The secondstage rotor 12 is shownas being mounted on a shaft 18 which may be coupled to any desiredequipment (not shown) for driving the same.

The flow of the various gases through the power plant illustrateddiagrammatically in FIG. 1 is indicated by arrows placed in the variouspassages of the apparatus. The operation of the gas turbine power plantapparatus so far described is fully understood by those skilled in theart and a further explanatory elaboration is deemed unnecessary.

The invention is concerned with improvements in the combustor 15.Referring to FIG. 3, the combustor is shown as including a. housing orcasing having an elongated, cylindrical outer shell 20 arranged with itsaxis horizontal and covered with insulation 21 and suitably reinforcedand supported in conventional manner. Adjacent one end, the shell 20 isshown as provided with an air inlet 22 which is connected to thedischarge of the air compressor 14. The end of the shell 20 adjacent theinlet 22 is closed by an end wall 23 having a central opening thereinand surrounded on the outer side thereof by an flange 26 have registeredholes through which bolts 29 pass for securing the cover to the outershell. The cover 28 has a central opening which is normally covered by aremovable burner plate 30 on which a series of conventional burnerassemblies, indicated severally at 31, are mounted. These burners aresupplied with fluid fuel from a circular manifold 32 which is supportedby an annular bracket 33 carried by the cover 28. Branch lines 27connect the individual burners 31to the fuel manifold 32.

It will be seen that if the bolts 29 are removed, the cover 28 and theburner equipment supported thereon can be moved axially away from theend of the outer shell 20 so as to provide full access to the interiorthereof.

Arranged within the outer shell 20 in spaced relation thereto is theinner liner asesmbly indicated generally at 34 which bounds or definesthe combustion chamber 35. It is essentially of frusto-conical form withthe smaller end adjacent the inlet 22 and the larger end remotetherefrom. The liner assembly 34 comprises a series of annular ringsincluding an end ring 36, a plurality of intermediate rings 38 and asecond end ring 39. The various rings 36, 38 and 39 are shown as beingsheet metal cylinders of successively reduced diameter concentricallyarranged and partially overlapping one another. The overlapping portionsare mounted in spaced relation by a series of U-shaped plate spacers 40as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Formed as an axial extension of the end ring 39 and preferablyintegrally therewith, is a frusto-conical section 41 terminating in acylindrical end portion 42. This end portion 42 is shown as beingslidably received within the annular flange 24 of the combustor housing.

The important feature of the present invention resides in the manner ofsupporting the liner assembly 34 within the outer shell 20. Referring toFIG. 4, the outer shell 20 on the inside thereof is shown as providedwith a plurality of circumferentially spaced, elongated, channel members44. Four such members are shown at equidistant circumferentialintervals. Each channel member 44- is arranged so that its way 45,preferably flat sided, faces or opens radially inwardly. Sliclablyarranged within the way 45 of each channel member 44 is an elongated bar46, preferably rectangular in cross section as shown. At intervals alongthe length of the bar 46 are a series of radially extending ribs orstruts 47. These ribsare severally connected, as lay-welding, to thecenter of the corresponding ring 36, 38 or 39. For each bar '46 one rib47 is provided for each cylindrical ring 36, 38

and 39; There being four bars 46, each of the rings 36, 38 and 39 issupported by four ribs 47. It will be noted that the radial lengths ofthe ribs 47 from ring to ring vary since the diameters of the ringsvary.

In this manner, it will be seen that the various rings 36, 38 and 39 areseverally supported at four circumfereutially spaced places on four ribsor arms in turn carried by four slide bars 46. As previously explained,the cylindrical rings are maintained spaced from one another by thespacers 40. V

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer shell 20 on its inside andadjacent its removably covered end is provided with a pair of radiallyinwardly projecting spaced lugs 48 arranged adjacent the correspondingend of each. of the channel members 44. The lugs 48 are spaced apart toreceive therebetween thecorresponding slide bar 46. The lugs 48 aresuitably fastened to the outer shell as by being welded thereto. Theouter end of each slide bar 46 extends longitudinally outwardly beyondthe corresponding lugs 48 and is shown as having a radially inwardly,enlarged head 49 provided with a hole 54 adjacent its outer extremityand longitudinally inwardly of said hole is provided with a pair oflateral ears 51 on opposite sides of the head 49. The ears 51 aresuitably connected to the head 49 as by being welded thereto. The ears51 and lugs 48 are provided with registered holes adapted to receive nutand bolt assemblies 52.

' When the lugs 48 and cars 51 are bolted together as shown in FIG. 5,the liner. assembly is effectively secured in a predetermined positionwithin the outer shell 20 against unintentional displacement bothcircumferentially and longitudinally. However, when the nuts and bolts52 for each of the slide bars 46 are removed, the liner assembly as aunitary structure can be removed from the outer casing Ztlby slidingtheliner assembly axially of the outer shell through the end thereofmade open by removal of the cover 28. During relative movement between"the inner liner assembly and outer shell, the'slide bars 46 slid-e inthe channel members 44. The holes 50 facilitate connection of suitablepulling or pushing means (not shown) to the liner assembly.

The cylindrical end ring 36 is shown as having a series of radiallyoutwardly projecting perforated ears 55 which cooperate with similarears 56 provided on a frusto-conical shell member 57 having a seriesofopenings 58 provided therein at circumferential intervals. The ears 55and 56 are suitably bolted together. The outer and smaller end of thisfrusto-conical member 57 has an annular end wall 59 provided with aseries of ,arcuate openings 60 and circular openings l a set of openings60, 61 and 58 being shown as provided for each of the burners 31.Arranged on the outer side of the end Wall 59 and suitably securedthereto is an annular fuel guide 62. Arranged within the frusto-conicalshell member 57 is a louvered primary air diffuserindicated generally at63. Arranged centrally of the liner assembly at the corresponding endthereof is a louvered conical assembly indicated generally at 64. Theassemblies 63 and 64 are suitably mounted on the end wall 59.

between the liner assembly and'the outer shell 20. Some of this airenters the annular openings between the spaced and overlapping rings 36,38 and 39 as secondary air. Some of the air also flows the full lengthof the apparatus and turns to enter through the central louveredassembly 64, through the openings 58 and 60 and thence between thelouvered assembly 64 into the fuel injection end of the combustionchamber, as primary air to be mixed with the atomized fuel dischargedfrom the injection nozzles 31.

As is well known, the fuel and air mixture is combusted or burned withinthe liner assembly and the products of combustion move to the right outof the liner assembly through the end ring 39, annular parts 41, 42,into the downstream duct comprising the expansion joint 25 and conduit16! As is also well known, certain of the rings, such as the twoimmediately adjacent the end ring 39, are provided with a series ofopenings 65 to allow additional air to enter the combustion chamber fgomthe space between the liner assembly and the outer s ell.

In order that the cylindrical end portion 42 of the liner assembly hassome dimensional flexibility to fit the opening formed by the housingflange 24, the assembly is shown as provided with a series ofcircumferentially spaced, axially extending slots 66 which lead from theouter edge of the end portion 42 part-way back into the frusto-conicalportion 41. The inner end portions of these slots 66 are coveredindividually by rectangularly outlined, curved plates 67 leaving theslots in the cylindrical end portion 42 uncovered. Each of the coveringplates 67 is preferably welded along one long side and half of the shortinner end to the surface of the end ring 39. In this manner, thecylindrical end portion 42 of the liner assembly has an increasedflexibility to permit it to be more easily inserted and removed from thebore of the annular flange 24.

. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present inventionprovides an improved liner assembly for a combustor which is a unitarystructure adapted to be easily and readily removed from and insertedinto the outer surrounding casing or housing of the combustor.

What is claimed is: V

1. In a combustor, the combination comprising an outer shell having anaccess opening, a liner assembly including a plurality of spaced rings,and means for supporting said liner assembly within and on said shell inspaced relation thereto and including a slide bar juxtaposed to saidshell, guide means juxtaposed to and fast to said shell for radially andcircumferentially guiding said bar during relative movement of said barand means for supporting said rings on said bar including a single strutextending between each of said rings and said bar, whereby overall axialdimensional growth of said liner assembly due to temperature expansionis minimized and said liner assembly as a unitary structure can be slidinto and out of said shell through said access opening by said bar sliding on said guide means.

2. In a combustor, the combination comprising an outer shell having anaccess opening, a removable cover for said opening, a liner assemblyincluding a plurality of spaced rings, and means separate from saidcover for supporting said liner assembly within and on said shell inspaced relation thereto and including a slide bar juxtaposed to saidshell, guide means juxtaposed to and fast to said shell for radially andcircumferentially guiding said bar during relative movement of said bar,means for supporting said rings on said bar including a single strutextending between each of said rings and said bar and means for securingsaid bar against movement relative to said shell, whereby overall axialdimensional growth of said liner assembly due to temperature expansionis minimized and when said bar is unsecured said liner assembly as aunitary structure can he slid into and out of said shell through saidaccess opening by said bar sliding on said guide means.

3. In a combustor, the combination comprising an outer shell having anaccess opening, a removable cover for said opening, a liner assemblyincluding a plurality of spaced rings, and a plurality of support meansseparate from said cover and arranged at intervals about said linerassembly and collectively supporting the same Within and on said shellin spaced relation thereto, each of said support means including a slidebarr juxtaposed to said shell, guide means juxtaposed to and fast tosaid shell for radially and circumferentially guiding said bar duringrelative movement of said bar and single strut means connecting each ofsaid rings to said bar, whereby overall axial dimensional growth of saidliner assembly due to temperature expansion is minimized and said linerassembly as a unitary structure can be slid into and out of said shellby said bar sliding on said guide means.

4. In a combustor, the combination comprising an outer shell having anaccess opening at one end and an outlet opening at its other end, aliner assembly including an end ring and a plurality of other rings allspaced from one another, said end ring being slidingly inserted in saidoutlet opening, and means for supporting said liner assernbly within andon said shell in spaced relation thereto and including a slide'barjuxtaposed to said shell, guide means juxtaposed and fast to saidshell for radially and circumferentially guiding said bar and means forsupporting said rings on said bar including a single strut extendingbetween each of said rings and said bar, whereby overall axialdimensional growth of said liner assembly due to temperature expansionis minimized and said liner assem- 6 bly as a unitary structure can beslid into and out of said shell through said access opening by said barsliding on said guide means.

5. In a combustor, the combination comprising an outer shell having anaccess opening at one end and 'an outlet opening at its other end, aliner assembly including an end ring and a plurality of other rings allspaced firom one another, said end ring being slidingly inserted in saidoutlet opening and means for supporting said liner assembly within andon said shell in spaced relation thereto and including a slide barjuxtaposed to said shell, guide means juxtaposed and fast to said shellfor radially and circumferentially guiding said bar, means forsupporting said rings on said bar including a single strut extendingbetween each of said rings and said bar and means for securing said baragainst movement relative to said shell, whereby overall axialdimensional growth of said liner assembly due to temperature expansionis minimized and when said bar is unsecured said liner assembly as aunitary structure can he slid into and out of said shell through saidaccess opening by said bar sliding on said guide means.

References Cited in the file of this patent Long Oct. 11, 1960

